The Seattle Seahawks didn’t shut out the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday because Sam Darnold and the offense balled out — and for right now, that’s OK. They dominated the Vikings because the defense was really, really good and Minnesota backup quarterback Max Brosmer was really, really bad.

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Here are two takeaways from Sunday’s 26-0 victory over Minnesota.

Brosmer not a hero, Seahawks defense dominates

Brosmer did not, in fact, throw for 485 yards as former 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci predicted on NFL Network. He threw four interceptions, two of which were picked off by Ernest Jones IV, who led the team with three interceptions entering Week 13 and is now tied for second league-wide with five. Jones’ pick-six in the first half was the first of the season for Seattle and its first since Nov. 24, 2024 (Coby Bryant against the Arizona Cardinals).

Another of Brosmer’s passes sailed through the arms of Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor and into the hands of Bryant. DeMarcus Lawrence forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Ty Okada (Lawrence being one of the league’s more underrated free-agent signings could be another easy takeaway here). And Riq Woolen picked off another poorly timed throw, but he fumbled on the return.

In total, the Seahawks had a season-high five takeaways, their most since 2019 (a Week 12 win over the Philadelphia Eagles).

Somewhere here is a Thanksgiving metaphor about feasting, but you get the drill.

Seattle’s defense, already one of the best in the league through 12 weeks, was facing an undrafted rookie quarterback who’d thrown all of eight passes this year for Minnesota. That’s not to take away from what Seattle’s defense did — they were supposed to dominate. But notably, there was no surprise upset in Seattle today, which was a welcome change from games past against backups (Mason Rudolph and the Steelers beating the Seahawks here in Seattle feels like an especially bad reminder).

HE’LL TAKE THAT. That makes two in a day for @ernestjones 🔥#ProBowlVote + @ernestjones

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/M92OgAx4xf

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 30, 2025

Pass protection issues jumped out

One of the league’s best defenses looked like it against a bad offense. Let’s get to the negative, then.

The Seahawks’ only offensive touchdown of the day was scored with just under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. It was a great one — a 17-yard run from Zach Charbonnet with some stellar blocking by backup tight end Nick Kallerup. But that was just about the only firework in an otherwise stop-and-go performance.

Needed a yard. Got a 17-yard TD. #ProBowlVote + @zachcharbon

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/Ic7dAmIJkl

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 30, 2025

We entered the season wondering whether the Seahawks’ offensive line would be a problem. The pass protection in particular has improved this season, allowing just 11 sacks of Darnold through 11 games entering Sunday (compare that to 45 times the Titans have allowed Cam Ward to be sacked or the 41 times the Raiders have allowed Geno Smith to be sacked). The O-line made it through most of the season before looking woefully outmatched. A Minnesota Vikings defense that ranked 11th in sacks entering Sunday racked up four in the first half, the last of those forcing a fumble by Darnold.

Brian Flores’ defense was aggressive, bringing heavy blitzing on third-and-long early (something the Minnesota defensive coordinator promised he’d do) to leave Darnold without options; The Seahawks’ first drive ended in a sack and the second with a throwaway.

“We need to start faster in terms of protection and making sure we’re on the same page,” Mike Macdonald said of the offense postgame. “I thought we protected Sam better in the second half.”

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, on pace to challenge Calvin Johnson’s NFL single-season receiving yards record, finished with a quiet two catches on four targets for 23 yards. He didn’t seem bothered by that postgame. The first of Seattle’s press conference interviews, Smith-Njigba was quick to shoutout the defensive effort.

“Starting with the front line, just some dogs up there,” he said. “We got a lot of dogs on the backend as well. Just a complete overall defense.”

Additional notes

Anthony Bradford left the game with an elbow injury that Macdonald said wouldn’t be serious.

CB Josh Jobe was evaluated for a concussion during the game and Macdonald said he thinks he’s fine.

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